Increasingly, tourism is seeing a shift from urban to rural and from famous to offbeat destinations. More and more vacationers seek to spend their holidays in quieter, more tranquil & less crowded places every year. Bhohat Kasol in Himachal Pradesh is one such place. Located in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, Bhohat is Terra incognita – an unexplored and untrodden place. That might be changing soon, however. This small village will soon be transformed into a tourist destination with plans to set up adventure activities and promote the region’s traditional arts, crafts, and customs. Preparations are already underway. So, get ready for a retreat into this rural hinterland because soon, this is the only place anyone will talk about.
6 Places To Visit Near Bhohat Kasol
There are many ravishing places to visit near Bhohat. Take a look at some of the offbeat and exciting destinations nearby.
1. Fort Bacchretu
Image Credit: SHIVANSHU BHARDWAJ for Pexels
This is a place of great historical interest. Fort Bacchretu is a relic of medieval times and is dated to have been built in the 14th century by the Raja Ratan Chand of Bilaspur. The fort is located on the Kot Hills and overlooks the Gobind Sagar Lake. At a sea elevation of 3000 meters, the sweeping views of the surrounding landscape from the fort are awe-inspiring. The fort itself, more than 600 years old, is in ruins now. It speaks to the power of time that a structure more than 5000 m2 in area has now become just a shadow of its old majestic self. The fort has a small temple inside that houses two idols of the goddess Ashta Bhuja and some other deities. A visit to the fort is truly a trip back to the past.
Location: Bachhretu Fort, Talai, Bilaspur District, Himachal Pradesh, 174030.
Things To Do: Photography, sightseeing, leisure walks
Must Read: Offbeat Destinations in Himachal Pradesh
2. Bandla Hill Top
Image Credit: Mathias Reding for Pexels
Looking for a picnic spot? Bandla Hill Top is a beautiful one. Located in Dhamnan, Bilaspur, about 17 km away from the city centre, this hilltop provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the town. The Gobind Sagar Lake, the undulating hills, and the lush greenery greet your eyes when you reach the top of this viewpoint. It presents a perfect opportunity for casual trekking and hiking as it is located at a slight altitude. The hilltop is also a charming picnic spot since it doesn’t draw many crowds. Imagine a place with all to yourself with beautiful Hillview, chirping birds and lush greenery.
Location: Bandla, Dhamnan, Himachal Pradesh 174001
Things To Do: Trekking, picnic, photography
3. Bhakra Dam
The Bhakra-Nangal Dam, at 226 meters, is the highest gravity dam in the world. It takes its name from the Bhakra village, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. It lies on the Satluj River in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, a small distance from Bhohat Kasol.
The project began construction in 1955 and was completed by 1962. Erstwhile Prime Minister Nehru called this project a “New Temple of Resurgent India”. Such is the importance of this place. Currently, the dam provides water to the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Visit here, gaze at this engineering marvel, and take a boat ride in the river. It’s bound to be a fantastic experience.
Location: Jangal Mehduda Bhakhra, Himachal Pradesh 174201
Things To Do: Boating in the reservoir, visiting the dam, photography
Suggested Read: National Parks In Himachal Pradesh
4. Gobind Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
As the name suggests, this wildlife sanctuary is next to the Gobind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur. Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary is also next to it; the two are often counted together. Gobind Sagar Sanctuary is connected to the Naina Devi temple through a ropeway that overlooks the lake. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1962, it is more than 170 km square in size and is home to diverse species of flora and fauna, most of which are unaccounted for in records, so undisturbed is their habitat. The best time to visit this sanctuary is between July and September. Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts would be amiss not to see this sanctuary.
Location: Gobind Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Bilaspur District, Himachal Pradesh
Things To Do: Birdwatching and animal spotting, leisure walks, photography
5. Gobind Sagar Reservoir
Image Credit: Ambuj Mishra for Wikimedia Commons
Gobind Sagar Lake, named after Guru Gobind Singh, is a man-made reservoir built in the Bhakra Dam in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. This man-made lake harbours around 51 species of fish, some exotic and endangered. The lake presents an opportunity for adventure water sports, and tourists can engage in activities like swimming, rowing, water skiing, surfing, canoeing, and kayaking. Rowing and kayaking are usually organized for experienced campaigners only. To sum up, Gobind Sagar Lake is regarded as one of the best lakes in Himachal Pradesh and features many serene spots for picnics and excursions.
Location: CG82+M29 Dhangu Baongri, Himachal Pradesh
Things To Do: Swimming, boating, and adventure activities like kayaking
Suggested Read: Adventure Sports In Himachal Pradesh
6. Koldam Dam
Koldamdam in Bilaspur lies on the Satluj River and is a fantastic feat of engineering. The dam is located near Bhohat Kasol, and the area next to the dam is underway to develop into a tourist destination with many adventure activities. Located upstream from Bhakra Dam, the landscape at Koldam is also delightful to look at, and picnickers are often seen out and about in the area. The Koldam Dam was built to generate hydroelectric power by the National Thermal Power Corporation and was completed in 2015. Boating in the reservoir is a crowd favourite that you must try.
Location: Chamyon, Himachal Pradesh 174013
Things To Do: Visiting the dam, boating, photography
How To Reach Bhohat Kasol
By Road: Bhohat Kasol in Himachal Pradesh can only be reached by bus. It is located in the Bilaspur district of the state, which lies on the Chandigarh – Manali highway (NH-205). One can reach Bilaspur by bus or a cab or taxi, and from there, take the state-run buses that can be found running from Bilaspur to Shimla, which is 86 Km away, Manali (168 km away), Mandi (60 km away), and more.
By Train: The nearest railway station to Bilaspur is Kiratpur Sahib Railway Station, about 50 km away. Kiratpur is well-connected by rail to the major cities in Himachal Pradesh and India.
By Flight: The nearest airport is Bhunter in Kullu district, 127 km from Bilaspur.
Further Read: Best Places To Visit In Himachal Pradesh
Bhohat Kasol is a new emerging tourist destination you didn’t know you needed to visit. Surrounded by Mother Nature’s plentiful bounty, this picturesque little hamlet is a perfect vacation spot to connect with nature, engage in adventure activities, or relax on holidays without caring about the outside world. Plan a trip to Himachal Pradesh and make a pitstop at Bhohat Kasol for a delightful time!
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Cover Image Credit: Darshan Simha for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Bhohat Kasol
What is the best time to visit Bhohat Kasol?
Bhohat Kasol is being developed as a year-round tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh. The weather is sunny and pleasant most of the year, but if you like colder temperatures, September to March can be an excellent time to visit.
What is the top attraction in Bhohat Kasol?
There are many great attractions in and around Bhohat. Visiting Koldam and Gobind Sagar Lake should make the top of your list.
How many days are enough to spend at Bhohat Kasol?
Two to three days is an excellent time to spend in Bhohat Kasol; however, if you plan to visit other attractions close to Bhohat, like Shimla and Theog, you can prepare for a week-long trip.
What are the best places to visit in Bilaspur?
The best places to visit in Bilaspur are Fort Bacchretu - a relic of the past, Gobind Sagar Lake and Gobind Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhakra Dam, Koldam Dam, and Bandla Hill Top.
What is the height of Kol Dam?
Koldam Dam is 153 meters high from Talweg, the line of lowest elevation from the river, and 167 meters high, including the foundation.
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